Police vehicle set on fire in Digby County amid spike in violent crimes

RCMP say one of their vehicles was set on fire while parked at a service shop in Meteghan, N.S., the latest in a string of violent crimes that has prompted police to double its workforce in the coastal Digby County fishing community.

Police say they were called to the service shop Wednesday around 1:45 a.m. local time after reports that a marked police car, which had been parked at the shop for a number of days for repairs, was engulfed in flames.

Upon arrival, officers found the police car destroyed. Two other vehicles that were parked nearby were also damaged.

"The efficient response from fire services prevented the fire from spreading to other vehicles, buildings, and nearby gas pumps," the RCMP said in a news release.

No one was injured.

RCMP Sgt. Jeff LeBlanc said investigators reviewed video surveillance and saw a person set the car on fire.

Police have suspects in mind

LeBlanc said he believes this latest suspected arson is linked to other recent crimes around Meteghan — an Acadian fishing community along the shores of Baie Sainte-Marie — including two separate arsons in nearby Saulnierville Station and Concession earlier this month.

Shots were also recently fired at a residence in Meteghan Station. No one was home at the time.

LeBlanc said police have a "group of suspects" in mind they believe are responsible for the crimes.

"The subjects that are involved keep coming up through our investigations," he said in an interview. "So basically that's how we're linking all the events together."

LeBlanc would not say what he believes is the motive behind the incidents, but said he does "have a good indication."

Community on edge

RCMP have doubled its workforce at the Meteghan detachment from seven officers to at least 14 in an effort to bolster the investigations and increase patrols in the area, where people are on edge.

"That's one of our biggest concerns right now, is public safety," he said. "I know the community is upset and concerned."

LeBlanc said he's asking for help from the community for information on any of the crimes.

He said people can call the detachment and ask for him personally, and vowed to keep their names anonymous and close to his chest.

"We need information and to work together to solve these crimes," he said.